MOHRE Salary Complaint Document Checklist for UAE Workers

Written and edited by the Visa Advice Hub Editorial Team.

Who This Checklist Is For

This checklist is designed for workers in the UAE private sector who need to file a salary complaint with MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation). It covers the most common situations:

• Employer has not paid salary for one or more months
• Employer has not paid final salary after termination or resignation
• Employer has not paid gratuity or notice period
• Visa has been cancelled but final entitlements are unpaid

This checklist does not cover DIFC, ADGM, or free zone disputes — those have separate courts and procedures.

Documents to Prepare

The items in the checklist above cover the standard documents requested during MOHRE mediation. A few notes:

• Labour contract: If you do not have a copy, MOHRE can retrieve the registered version. Ask specifically during your complaint session.
• Salary slips: If your employer never provided slips, state this in your complaint. The burden of proving wages were paid shifts to the employer if slips were not issued.
• WPS records: WPS shows whether your employer transferred salary through the banking system. If WPS shows no transfers, this is strong evidence.
• Messages and emails: Screenshot and back these up before your visa is cancelled or your work phone/laptop is returned. Once you lose access to a work device, these records may be lost.

What Usually Happens Next

1. File online or via app. Go to mohre.gov.ae or the MOHRE app to submit your complaint. You will receive a reference number immediately.
2. Mediation session. MOHRE will schedule a mediation session with your employer. Bring all documents. Most cases are resolved at this stage.
3. Labour court referral. If mediation fails, MOHRE can refer the case to the Labour Court (Abu Dhabi Judicial Department or Dubai Courts). Lawyers are optional but may help in complex cases.
4. Judgment and enforcement. If the court rules in your favour, the judgment is enforced against the employer’s assets or bank account.

Common Mistakes

• Waiting too long. UAE labour claims have a 1-year limitation period from the date of the dispute. Do not delay filing.
• Returning work equipment before backing up messages. Once you hand back a company phone or laptop, you may lose access to key evidence.
• Not keeping the complaint reference number safe. You will need it for all follow-up steps.
• Accepting a partial settlement without understanding the full amount owed. Once you sign a settlement at MOHRE, it may be final.
• Assuming a verbal promise from HR is enough. Always get agreements in writing through MOHRE.

Worked Example

Scenario: Rahul, a construction site supervisor from India, has not received his salary for three months. His employer has stopped responding to his messages. He wants to file a MOHRE salary complaint and uses this checklist to confirm his documents are ready.

Rahul’s checklist result:

• Passport ✅ — original and photocopy both available
• Emirates ID ✅ — valid and in his possession
• Labour contract ⚠️ — Rahul does not have a copy; he notes this in the submission and asks MOHRE to pull the registered version on file
• Bank statements ✅ — 3 months of statements showing no salary deposits from employer
• Payslips ⚠️ — employer gave informal receipts, not official payslips; Rahul includes these as supporting evidence
• Employer communications ✅ — WhatsApp thread showing HR acknowledging the delay, with timestamps

The checklist shows a “Partial” result. Rahul proceeds to file — a missing contract copy is not a barrier, and partial payroll evidence is still useful. He files online at mohre.gov.ae and receives a complaint reference number within minutes.

Document readiness affects the speed and ease of your complaint process, but MOHRE accepts complaints even when some documents are missing. File as early as possible.

What This Checklist Cannot Decide

This checklist helps you prepare documents for a MOHRE salary complaint. It cannot:

• Assess whether your case will succeed — the outcome depends on the specific facts, your employer’s response, and the documentation quality. This checklist covers readiness only, not strength of claim.
• Calculate how much you are owed — salary arrears, gratuity, notice period pay, and other entitlements require a separate review of your contract and actual payment records. Use the UAE Gratuity Calculator for gratuity estimates.
• Advise on criminal matters — if your situation involves threats, document seizure, physical control, or other coercive elements, report these separately to the police. Labour exploitation may fall outside MOHRE’s jurisdiction.
• Tell you whether to accept a settlement offer — if your employer offers a settlement at mediation, that is a legal decision. For significant amounts or complex situations, consult a UAE-licensed labour lawyer before signing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a MOHRE complaint after my visa has already been cancelled?

Yes. A MOHRE salary complaint is linked to the employment relationship, not your current visa status. You can file even after your visa is cancelled. If you have already left the UAE, check whether you can file through the overseas complaint window at mohre.gov.ae — confirm the current process directly with MOHRE for your situation.

I don’t have a copy of my employment contract. Can I still file a complaint?

Yes. MOHRE holds the registered copy of your labour contract on file from when your employer submitted it at the time of hiring. When filing your complaint, note that you do not have a personal copy and ask MOHRE to retrieve the registered version. In the meantime, gather any other supporting documents: payslips, bank statements showing salary transfers, and employment-related messages from your employer.

How long does MOHRE typically take to resolve a salary complaint?

MOHRE usually schedules an initial mediation session within 1–2 weeks of complaint filing. If mediation leads to a settlement, the case can resolve quickly. If mediation fails and the case is referred to the Labour Court, resolution may take weeks to several months. File as early as possible — there is a 1-year limitation period from the date of the dispute.

Can I file a MOHRE complaint online, or must I go in person?

Online filing is available through the MOHRE website and the MOHRE mobile app (iOS and Android). After submitting, you will receive a complaint reference number. You will still need to attend the scheduled mediation session through the designated method. There is no filing fee for MOHRE salary complaints.

My employer keeps promising to pay but never does. When should I file?

File now. Verbal payment promises and repeated delays are a common tactic used to run out the complaint limitation window. Once a formal MOHRE complaint is on record, your employer must respond through an official mediation channel — informal promises no longer carry the same weight. Many salary disputes settle at the mediation stage once a formal complaint is filed, without needing to proceed to court.

Official Sources Used

Related Guides

• UAE Employer Not Paying Salary: What Workers Can Do
• MOHRE Complaint After Visa Cancellation in UAE
• UAE Visa Cancellation: How to Claim Unpaid Salary
• UAE Employer Cannot Pay Salary: Worker Protection Insurance

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